HAPPY BIRTHDAY ROBERT BURNS

24. January 2012 by admin.

January 25th marks the celebration of a birth that occurred 252 years ago. This person came into the world before America was its own country; before the regency and Victorian eras swept England; before my ancestors had any inkling how the world would turn out.

The dry facts go like this: Robert Burns was born in Alloway, Ayreshire, in Scotland, in a farmer’s cottage. Poems, Chiefly in the Scottish Dialect was his first published work. Burns’ poem To a Haggis, is recited across the world during the annual Burns Night celebrations every January. His tongue-in-cheek exaggeration of his love for this oatmeal, onions, heart and liver concoction boiled inside a sheep’s stomach has elevated the simple sausage to a national icon.

Still wondering what all the hoopla about a guy long dead is all about? Do the English host a party on Shakespeare’s birthday? Do the Americans honor Longfellow? Not to this extent. The world has celebrated this poet’s life since a few years after his death when a group of Burns’ friends got together to read his poems and drink a little Scotch Whisky.

But, why has this January celebration evolved to include over 200 countries, hosting over 3000 separate celebrations in the dreary month of January? A friend of mine, David Bruce, wrote “Robert Burns lived and worked during the time of the great Scottish Enlightenment, that period in the eighteenth century when Scotland produced more men of letters, more men of learning and more men of science than any other nation on earth.”

Some of us idolize the man for his poetry and songs. Today, he is remembered in Scotland where a beautiful museum has been erected, dedicated to Robert Burns. This modern facility is located in his birthplace of Alloway.

January is here, again, and I miss the annual Robert Burns Night held by the St. Andrews Society of New Hampshire. My husband and I are lifetime members of the organization and attended the festivities many years running, but we moved to North Carolina to be near family and so I can write fulltime. I miss those gatherings. Upwards of 200 people attended dressed in Scottish attire to enjoy music, Highland dancers, fine whisky, great food, and a story about Robert Burns. The evening ended with everyone joining hands to sing one of Robert Burns’ songs, a very familiar song…Auld Lang Syne.

Happy Birthday, Robert.
Nancy Lee Badger
www.nancyleebadger.com

About the author: Nancy loves chocolate-chip shortbread, wool plaids wrapped around the trim waist of a Scottish Highlander, the clang of dirks and broadswords, and the sound of bagpipes in the air. She and family volunteer at Highland Games while Nancy writes romantic stories with a light paranormal flavor. Whether its a time-traveling witch who meets the Highlander of her dreams, or a cursed dragon-shifter who hides from the beautiful seer on a lonely Scottish island, Nancy lives the dream. Nancy is a member of Romance Writers of America, Heart of Carolina Romance Writers, Sisters In Crime, Fantasy-Futuristic & Paranormal Romance Writers, and Celtic Heart Romance Writers. She lives and writes in North Carolina. DRAGON’S CURSE is available for download from www.WhispersHome.com and Amazon and NOOK.

This article was first posted by Nancy Lee Badger on 19 January, 2011 on The Celtic Rose Blog

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HAPPY FRIDAY THE 13th

13. January 2012 by admin.

Did you know that 2012 is LUCKY enough to celebrate not one, not two, but THREE Friday the 13ths? Three happen every few years, actually. The last was in 2009, and the next is 2015. 2012 is extra special because it is a year where something will not re-occur until 2040: three 13ths landing on a Friday during a leap year.

 

The number 13 and Friday, found mentioned in mythological, spiritual and religious tradition, means something different to me…and my mom. She delivered me, her first child, around 8 o’clock, at night, on Friday the 13^th in the dark and dreary month of November.

 

For many pagans, 13 is a lucky number, because it corresponds with the number of full moons each year, but I celebrate them as extra birthdays. Birthdays I do not need to count toward my age. The older you get, the more you will understand. Trust me.

 

Friday the 13th can feel special, say some people. (scientists, I hear) Supposedly, during a 400-year period, the 13th falls on a Friday more than any other day: 688 times.

 

Whatever you believe, know that I am embracing the day and using the vibrant energy to clean out my files in preparation for filing my taxes. I believe there is a much scarier date in America…April 15^th!

 

Nancy

 

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HAPPY HOGMANAY

31. December 2011 by admin.

 

Hogmanay…a strange word to this American writer.  “What did he say?” I said to a friend the first time I heard the word. Until recently, I mistakenly assumed it was the Celtic term for Christmas.

Nope! Hogmanay is a celebration of the new Year, as close to our ‘watching the ball drop’ festivities and the Rose Bowl Parade wrapped up in one lovely holiday.

So, I am taking a moment to wish you all a very HAPPY HOGMANAY and a very, very HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Nancy

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Moon over Florida

23. December 2011 by admin.

I spent a couple of weeks visiting my folks, earlier this month, and snapped this waning moon from their driveway.

I am a northerner by birth, as are they, and I now reside and write fulltime in North Carolina. Palm trees excite me! Enjoy!

And, have a very HAPPY HOLIDAY!

Nancy

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HUG A SCOTTISH ISLAND

28. November 2011 by admin.

Islands are a mystery. A little clump of dirt, grass, bushes, and trees in the middle of the ocean or a clear water lake. Scotland has thousands of islands where mythology abounds. Life in the long ago centuries was harsh, which made the Scots a strong and mighty people.

Be happy while you’re living, for you’re a long time dead—Scottish Proverb

Sláinte,

Nancy

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TODAY IS MY BIRTHDAY

13. November 2011 by admin.

I had a great day; lunch with relatives at LONGHORN at Briercreek in Raleigh (thanks, Chris, for the free dessert!); watched NASCAR; reflected on the past year. A decent year, but I am excited to see what the future will bring, especially with my writing.

I will continue to ply the trade, attend workshops, submit manuscripts until an agent agrees I have something to share, and smile each time a royalty check arrives from the six e-books already ‘out there’.

Today’s newspaper (The News & Observer) printed a ‘Horoscope for the Year’ and here is a partial:

“Mid-December is a good time for your finances and career, so work hard to make your fantasies come true.”

Now, if an agent or editor would call about one of my submissions, all will be as it should.

Nancy

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Nov. 11th: Heroes, Heroes everywhere

4. November 2011 by admin.

One little person, giving all of her time to peace, makes news. Many people, giving some of their time, can make history. –Peace Pilgrim, peace activist

As we in America celebrate Veteran’s Day on 11*11*11, we must remember those still fighting around the world.

Nancy

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Happy Halloween…or Samhain!

31. October 2011 by admin.

What are YOU going to be for Halloween?

Samhain is to the Celts like All Hallow’s Eve is to us…a night before the 1st of November, a time to celebrate the end of the harvest and the coming of winter. Winter came early to much of the northeast, this weekend, so we dedicate this post to everyone without power…may your candles flame on and your trick or treaters carry flashlights.

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MY COVER NEEDS YOUR VOTES

23. October 2011 by admin.

Hey, y’all, my beautiful cover created by

Florina Craven of www.ThinkFlowDesign.com

is currently in 3rd place at the

YOU GOTTA READ BOOK REVIEWS COVER CONTEST.

All votes would be appreciated, so please click on

http://yougottareadcovers.blogspot.com/.

Help this gorgeaous cover get the attention it is due. Thanks!

Nancy

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1st 2 pages of DRAGON IN THE MIST

5. October 2011 by admin.

 

Here are the first two pages of my Loch Ness romance. Do not be fooled by the opening story, as this is mainly set in present day Scotland, in a small town on the banks of Loch Ness, near Urquhart Castle. 

PROLOGUE

Loch Ness, Scotland, 1816

 

“Ye dare toss up my skirts, use my body, and then casually mention ye need to return to your wife?” Sudden rage caused Nessía’s fingers to shake, and she bungled her attempt to tie the laces of her bodice.

Rage gave way to pain. Ignited by the hurtful declaration of the man she thought she loved, it grasped her heart in crushing talons.

“My love, do not chastise me. Ye want more than I can give,” Montgomery MacDonald said, his tone condescending, as if talking to a child. He smoothed his plaid and adjusted his dirk and belt.

“Love? What know ye of love?” She stood to make her way toward the door, eager to distance herself from his mockery. She had pinned all her hopes and dreams on a man not worthy of her trust or love. How blind must she be?

“Do not leave yet. Someone will see ye.” He reached out and grabbed her around the wrist.

She turned to face him, and hissed.

He dropped his arm, and stepped back.

A life-saving move.

“Why should I care who sees us? My reputation is lost. As lost as my heart and my innocence. I lay with ye because I thought I loved ye. My quest for a normal life among humans is all for naught. I see now how my foolishness has blinded me to yer ways.”

“Ye speak in riddles, love.”

Pushing away from him and the larder table, where he had so easily thrust himself inside her eager flesh, she brushed flour and grain from the back of her dress. Trembling hands swept down her apron, then smoothed loose tendrils behind her ears. Her brown braid whipped across her left shoulder as she spun and gazed at Monty, her last chance for salvation.

And freedom.

Nessía longed to explain why she succumbed to his flirtations, yet saw no advantage. His disclosure of a wife, waiting at home for him, put an end to such wishes.

“Love is for the weak, woman. My wife knows her place and is grateful for the nights I deign to lay beside her. I promised ye nothing but pleasure.” He winked at her, increasing the pain spreading through her body.

The change surged and fell upon her in a thrice, all because she had trusted a mortal man. She yanked open the door, and let the loch’s cooling breeze caress her human skin. Blood pulsed through her veins while she tamped down the rising urge to shape-shift. She turned to face him for the last time. 

“I loved ye, Monty. Can ye not see what ye have done? Have ye no conscience? I was an innocent maid. I looked up to ye, and ye took advantage.” A sob threatened to escape her swollen throat, but she kept her dignity by standing straight on her human legs. An odd sensation, to say the least.

 “Nessie, do not fool yourself. Ye felt passion, ‘tis all. ‘Tis natural. Ye did enjoy it, did ye not?” His smile did not reach his eyes. In that singular expression, she knew. He never meant to use her for more than a few minutes of passion.

One rakish eyebrow quirked under wavy hair the color of the night sky. Eyes she once considered as warm as the green grass covering the hills beside the loch each spring transformed to molten glass, as he gazed upon her chest. His actions made Nessía believe he needed to memorize each part of her.

Makes sense. He knows I shall not lay with him again.

To look at him, and his handsome features, made her human heart crumble into fine grains of sand, smaller and much finer than the muck lining the bottom of Loch Ness.

I hope you liked this! If you want to purchase this book for $2.99, it is available at Amazon, Barnes & Nobel, and Smashwords.

Nancy

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